Search - Now People :: Last Great 20th Century Love Affair

Romantic, sophisticated, mellow, whimsical, dreamy...

Laurie Biagini | Vancouver, BC Canada | 02/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Romantic, sophisticated, mellow, whimsical, dreamy... these are all words that I would use to describe the album "The Last Great 20th Century Love Affair" by The Now People.



The Now People are: Steve Stanley (Lead and backing vocals, guitars, piano, keyboards, bass, percussion); Alan "Ruby" Rubens (harpsichord, piano, keyboards, bass, backing vocals); Nelson Bragg (drums, percussion, backing vocals); and Probyn Gregory (horns, banjo).



The album cover shows the band sitting in front of a stately heritage home, which suggests even from the cover that you're about to hear some classic sounds. Included in the CD is a 16 page booklet, with beautiful artwork and photos depicting the moods of the songs, along with the lyrics.



Travel back in time.. as you listen, you'll swear you're experiencing the early 70's, all of the 60's, and even a jump back to some of the musical stylings of the 20's. I can hear so many different influences in the music.. Burt Bacharach, The Carpenters, the Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Cowsills, The Mamas & the Papas, The Association, and Jellyfish, among countless other amazing artists. The Now People take the best elements from these influences and combine them with some magic of their own to produce an amazing and unique sound.



Their musicianship is tops.. and there are so many interesting instruments featured on this album, you can really appreciate how they've added these incredible sounds into the songs - it all fits so perfectly. The inclusion of a live string section, makes this album all the more polished and a treat for the ears.



As for the tracks themselves, they're all fantastic, and each shines in its own unique way. Chalk it up to great songwriting, fantastic vocals, uber-talented musicians, and polished production. One of my favorite songs on this album is the title track, The Last Great 20th Century Love Affair. It's an upbeat, pop shuffle, that just makes you want to get up and dance. It has a cool melody with great vocal harmonies, and the harpsichord has a prominent role in this song. This Road Will Never End is a beautiful waltz with fantastic piano. While you listen to this song, the feeling is that you're in a wondeful, romantic dream. Trust is just too cool for words. It has a prominent 60's "summer of love" vibe to it. Flutes and horns play imporant roles in this song, and the vocals again are simply amazing. One song that stirs certain emotional response in this listener is Buzzin By, a simple song, almost like something a child would sing, but a beautiful melody, accentuated with acoustic guitar and flutes. The song is about a beautiful butterfly that has finally got her wings and is admired by her fellow caterpillars below. It seems like a metaphor for a happy ending (for this butterfly), which appropriately is the final song on the album. These descriptions of a few of the tracks only begin to scratch the surface. You'll have to hear the album for yourself to see what I mean.



I heartily recommend this album to anyone who enjoys a refreshing, new and unique sound. Prepare to be blown away!"

The Last Great 20th Century ALBUM!

D. MCCABE | Boonville, MO | 10/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Steve Stanley has written eleven incredible songs that were included on this album (Trust was written by Paul Williams--and wonderfully covered by The Now People). I have been listening to this album since it came out and have never gotten tired of it! The songs are timeless, and reminiscent of a more innocent time. The four members of this band (Steve Stanley, Probyn Gregory, Ruby Rubens, and Nelson Bragg) are incredibly talented musicians and singers in their own right, but when they get together they melt into a harmonic feast fit for any 60's harmony lover. This Road Will Never End, the Great Lost Carpenters Song that Karen Should Have Sung will melt the heart of even the most hardened cynic. Beach Boys and Curt Boettercher influences abound throughout the record, especially in the title track, Something Happened, and Lifetime Love. But the real treats might well be the last two tracks. Old and Grey/A Little Bit Brighter is a delightful trip to the 1920's complete with 78 record static and even an appropriate period lead vocal from Steve Stanley. Buzzin' By closes the album with a sweet and heartbreaking melody. If Buzzin' By doesn't move you, then you don't have a heart period. Plus the cover art harkens back to classic LP cover art where oftentimes you would get elaborate booketls in the sleeve. Visual treats as well as sonic treats. Who would have imagined this in the CD age?



Fans of the Beach Boys, the Association, the Turtles, and the Monkees should add this to their collection. A collection of heartfelt songs that are harmonius with their inspirations."

A smorgasbord of boy-girl pop delights

Jerry Boyd | Baton Rouge, LA | 09/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"TLG20thCLA is a great album. If you like 60s pop, then chances are very good that you will love this CD. Mastermind Steve Stanley has put together a talented group of musicians to create this little gem, and it is obvious that a lot of good, old-fashioned elbow grease went into the making of it.



Lots of catchy melodies, harmonies, and pleasantly unexpected twists and turns make it a joy to listen to from start to finish. Reminiscent of Bacharach and The Fifth Dimension, with a little Morrissey thrown in to keep it current. Buy it now!"